Larissa Kurz
Regina Leader-Post
Striking support workers at 15 Wing Moose Jaw are headed back to their jobs this week after agreeing to a new contract with employer Sodexo Canada, according to union leadership.
The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) Local 40807 — representing 35 civilian workers at the Canadian Forces base — said Wednesday its members have ratified a three-year collective agreement with Sodexo, a company subcontracted under the Department of National Defence.
Workers were on a rotating strike since May 12, when they started walking a picket line outside the Moose Jaw-area air base. They had been without a contract since the previous deal expired on Dec. 31, 2023.
A news release from parent union Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) said the contract includes a 12-per-cent wage increase over three years, a signing bonus, a $2-per-hour allowance for members while training new employees, and a reduction of health benefit premiums.
Wages and benefits were primary issues at the negotiation table, according to previous news releases from PSAC.
Cheryl Leonardo, president of PSAC/UNDE Local 40807, offered thanks for the “unwavering support” given to those on the picket line over the last two weeks.
“This agreement did not happen because Sodexo suddenly chose fairness; it happened because we stood together and demanded change,” Leonardo said in Wednesday’s release.
The ratification ends roughly a year of bargaining between the parties. Workers agreed to a strike action in March when negotiations reached an impasse and third-party conciliation failed.
One day after officially launching their strike action, workers said they were turned away from scheduled shifts by Sodexo without the 48-hour notice required to initiate a lockout.
PSAC filed an unethical labour practice complaint over the lockout last week. The union says that complaint is now resolved and has been withdrawn.
Workers are expected to return to work on Thursday, according to PSAC.
